Impact of Using Standard and High-Resolution Exposure Modalities of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) System for Dental Implants Dimension Measurements.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze the effects of standard and high-resolution exposures on the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT in the evaluation of dental implant dimensions.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 40 dry human mandibles with appropriate ridge quality based on panoramic radiography. CBCT (Soredex, Cranex 3D, Finland) with a large field of view (FOV) and CMOS flat panel detector were used. CBCT with standard and a high resolution was performed in each mandible. Axial images, reconstructed by OnDemand 3D software, were processed to prepare cross-sectional images from the areas marked by gutta-percha, and then measured by a ruler with an accuracy of 0.01 millimeter in the computer. Measurements were recorded by two observers and the obtained data were compared with the real ones.

RESULTS

The results showed suitable repeatability in radiologic measurements (r = 0.971), which is indicative of the high reliability of intraobserver measurement. The measurement of width with high-resolution exposure indicated a significant difference with the real condition (P < 0.001); however, this difference was not significant in the case of standard resolution (P > 0.05). Measurement of height with high resolution showed a significant difference with the real condition in the right mandible (P = 0.04) and left mandible (P = 0.05); however, this difference was not significant in standard resolution (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, the standard CBCT resolution modality is suggested for dental implant images due to its higher accuracy than high-resolution methods for diagnosing the implant dimensions.